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Thrombocytopenia is an abnormally low blood platelet count.
The possible causes are: insufficient platelet production in the bone marrow, increased breakdown of platelets in the bloodstream and increased breakdown of platelets in the spleen or liver.
People with thrombocytopenia may not have symptoms, when those manifest, it is usually due to some type of bleeding and its consequences.
Diagnosis will be performed by taking a detailed medical history, a clinical examination and a platelet count blood test.
The treatment depends on the cause responsible for the condition.
- James N George, Donald M Arnold. Approach to the adult with unexplained thrombocytopenia. UpToDate. Aug 22, 2016.
- van Bladel ER, Laarhoven AG, van der Heijden LB, et al. Functional platelet defects in children with severe chronic ITP as tested with 2 novel assays applicable for low platelet counts. Blood 2014; 123:1556.
- Williamson DR, Albert M, Heels-Ansdell D, et al. Thrombocytopenia in critically ill patients receiving thromboprophylaxis: frequency, risk factors, and outcomes. Chest 2013; 144:1207.
- Sheikh MY, Raoufi R, Atla PR, et al. Prevalence of cirrhosis in patients with thrombocytopenia who receive bone marrow biopsy. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:257.
- Mendes FD, Suzuki A, Sanderson SO, et al. Prevalence and indicators of portal hypertension in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012; 10:1028.
- Handin RI. Trastornos de la coagulación y trombosis. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 285-291.
Dr. Elvira Moreno
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